Country Director

About Evidence Action

At Evidence Action, we deliver data-driven interventions that transform lives at an unprecedented scale. We identify neglected global health issues and deploy proven solutions, forging healthier futures for generations.

Our model operationalizes leading academic research (including from Nobel-winning economists). We measure progress and outcomes at every stage to ensure we're making a real impact for people living in poverty and suffering from preventable or treatable health issues. Operating across 9 countries, our team of 800+ has reached over 500 million people, working closely with governments to scale these interventions.

At Evidence Action, your colleagues are your greatest asset. You'll partner with high-caliber colleagues in an environment blending innovation, autonomy, and teamwork. Our team excels in disruptive thinking and believes in rolling up our sleeves to get things done. If you're looking to work flexibly and with purpose, join a team that delivers measurable change for millions.

About the Program

Evidence Action's Syphilis-Free Start Program partners with Ministries of Health to increase syphilis screening and treatment among pregnant women in an effort to prevent mother-to-child transmission of syphilis. Without effective and timely treatment, syphilis infections in pregnancy carry a significant risk of stillbirth, neonatal death, and cognitive and physical disability. Across the globe, syphilis infection in pregnancy leads to over 220,000 stillbirths and neonatal deaths - more than is attributed to mother-to-child transmission of HIV - and over 170,000 instances of disability in newborns. Our aim is to close syphilis screening gaps via scale-up of HIV/syphilis dual testing and to close treatment gaps by implementing strategies to address context-specific treatment barriers for women who test positive for syphilis. We launched our Syphilis-Free Start program in Liberia in 2020, and Zambia and Cameroon in 2022, and are now expanding the program to Côte d'Ivoire.

The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire has taken meaningful steps to introduce a dual HIV/syphilis rapid test by adopting a national triple elimination strategy and validating a new HIV testing algorithm. Our ambitious program aims to support the government to scale the HIV/syphilis dual test nationwide across all ANC facilities, and close any gaps in syphilis treatment, thereby enabling pregnant women to get the care they need.

About the role

The Côte d'Ivoire Country Director will be key in the design, strategy, and implementation of the Syphilis-Free Start program in Côte d'Ivoire. In addition to being responsible for opening Evidence Action's country office in Côte d'Ivoire and launching the Syphilis-Free Start program,  the Country Director will also support the development of new programs in Côte d'Ivoire in the years to come. This is a unique opportunity for someone who is dynamic, self-motivated, and able to effectively drive large-scale change in a fast-paced, data-driven, and challenging environment.

Candidates must have prior experience working in developing countries and must be bilingual in French and English. Preference will be given to citizens or permanent residents of Côte d'Ivoire.

Responsibilities 

Establish a national presence in Côte d'Ivoire

• Launch the Côte d'Ivoire country office including everything from developing and implementing operational systems (e.g. ensuring proper financial systems, legal structures, HR practices) to recruiting a team and developing relationships with key stakeholders.
• Build a team of 2-7, including identifying staffing needs, recruiting and hiring staff, and scoping and supporting their work.
• Invest significantly in mentorship of the team, through both formal and informal channels, including the creation of a "feedback culture" and constructive iteration on work products.

Manage program design and implementation

• Systematically identify critical gaps in the government's congenital syphilis programs where Evidence Action can support, which may include, but are not limited to: driving policy change,  improving data collection, mobilizing funding, supporting supply chain management, designing health provider training and job aids, strengthening supportive supervision, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Develop country-wide, large-scale strategies to address identified gaps in collaboration with key partners (both governmental and non-governmental) based on best-practices developed by Evidence Action across programs.
• Monitor and analyze program data and KPIs to track program performance and generate insights on programmatic improvements.
• Prepare work plans and budgets for the program, to facilitate quality project management and decision making in an ambiguous environment. Iterate flexibly as circumstances change.
• In the event of gap-filling donations undertaken by Evidence Action, facilitate the procurement, storage, and distribution of commodities as they arrive in the country including the reception and transfer of commodities to local stakeholders.

Develop and manage partner relationships

• Build relationships with key partners, including critical government stakeholders (PNLS, PNSME, DGS, NPSP, etc.), development partners, non-profit organizations, and research firms. Ongoing management of these relationships will be a central component of the role.
• Coordinate among departments, divisions, and programs within the Ministry of Health. This is especially important as maternal and congenital syphilis is a cross-cutting program.
• Support the Ministry of Health to engage HIV implementing partners where possible to incorporate dual testing and syphilis treatment into their activities.
• Identify domestic or other partner resources which can be leveraged for capacity building of healthcare providers.
• Advocate for sustained domestic procurement of HIV/syphilis dual tests and benzathine penicillin.
• Support applications to include funding for procurement of HIV/syphilis dual tests and benzathine penicillin in Global Fund agreements.
• Support the MoH with national forecasting, procurement, and consumption monitoring for the HIV/syphilis dual test and benzathine penicillin.
• Work with MoH and other stakeholders to identify and address stockout challenges in-country.

Engage with other teams within Evidence Action

• Work closely with the Global team and the Africa Regional and Sub-Regional teams in the development of policies, work plans, and budgets.
• Collaborate and share learnings with the growing Syphilis-Free Start program teams across Liberia, Zambia, Cameroon, and Washington DC.
• Collaborate with the Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation Strategy and Delivery teams to develop and implement an M&E plan and manage the research firm contracted to perform the surveying work.
• Provide support to other Evidence Action programs in the event they are considering expansion of those programs to Côte d'Ivoire.

Requirements

• 10+ years of relevant professional experience in demanding and results-driven environments, such as management consulting or a fast-paced international NGO.
• Experience managing high-performing staff.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Experience working in a developing country context, preferably experience engaging closely with the government.
• Excellent work planning and project management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
• Experience applying data and quantitative analysis to drive decision making.
• Ability to work collaboratively, flexibly, and productively in a dispersed team, including with a direct supervisor based in another geography.
• Able to be located in Abidjan and availability for travel to other areas as needed, up to 15%.
• Oral and written English and French fluency.

 Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree in public policy, international development, public health, economics, business, or related field, preferably with some familiarity with development economics.
• Prior experience in the international development field.
• Preference will be given to citizens or permanent residents of Cote D'Ivoire with legal authorization to work in that country without work permit sponsorship. 

Additional note: Please attach your resume/CV in English.